It is good to catch up with my dear old friends. Even if the news of Corwin’s body disappearing is more than a bit stressing. Mari leaves us to rest her healing body and I turn all my attention to Louisa. “I hate to say this amidst the current chaos, but Minos and I will be leaving early tomorrow morning to return to Knossos. If you really need me here for moral support, I will be glad to stay another day or two, but…”

She interrupts me. “Not at all. I know you must be anxious to get back, with the upheavals happening there with Jihanus and Anna. We will keep in touch via messenger, and hopefully all this will be over soon and the two of us can visit Ares’s vineyard on a holiday.”

“I’d like that,” I smile in reply. “Was there any signs of who might be behind the…theft in the tomb?”

“No. There was an older gentleman who was there, but I think he was just a caretaker.”

I frown, deep in thought. “Lou, I don’t like the turn things here in Crete are taking. Friends attacked in what was once a peaceful marketplace, rumors of foreign gangs being behind it, bodies stolen from tombs. What’s next?”

Gathering strength from her amazing inner-self, Louisa hugs me and reassures me. “We will get to the bottom of all this. We have no patience for those who would wreak this kind of havoc.”

“I should be the one reassuring you in this, not the other way around,” I reply with a hug in return. “Your inner strength has always amazed me, my friend.”

“Inner strength? What inner strength?” she cries out. I am amazed at this sudden transformation from a comforter to one needing it herself. “I have little or no inner strength. If I did, I would be with Julian investigating this newest, most base crime. I wouldn’t have collapsed crying at the scene, and I wouldn’t have agreed to return here until justice is served to those responsible! I should be there.”

I reassure her as best I can. “Lou, what would you be doing there that Julian isn’t able to do? Everyone here in Agia Triada knows he is doing your bidding in this. And as Corwin’s brother, he has at much at stake here as you do, if not more.”

She sighs. “I know. I just feel so helpless sitting here doing nothing.”

“We all do. But I have the feeling watching out for you would distract Julian more than help him.”

We continue to talk until Talis knocks quietly on the door. “Lady Louisa, it is almost time to prepare for the reception for the General's son.”

“It’s that late already?!” Louisa exclaims. “I had no idea. Thank you Rilla for sitting here with me this afternoon. It means a lot to me. Please make use of anything here for your journey back to Knossos tomorrow.”

“You are most welcome, and also most kind.” I embrace my dearest friend. “I hope to see you again before I leave. If not, I’m sure we’ll see each other in the not-to-distant future. Have a good dinner with Ares!”